Qualifying for ill health benefits
You must have met the two year vesting period in the LGPS to qualify for ill health benefits. Your employer must be satisfied that:
- you are permanently unable to do your job until your Normal Pension Age, and
- you are not immediately capable of undertaking gainful employment.
Your employer must get the opinion of an independent occupational health physician appointed by them before it makes its decision.
Your Normal Pension Age in the LGPS is linked to your State Pension age. You can Check your State Pension age - This link opens in a new browser window on the Government’s website.
Gainful employment means paid employment for at least 30 hours a week for a period of at least a year.
Ill health benefits can be paid to you at any age. Your benefits will not be reduced because they are being paid early. In some cases, your pension will be increased to make up for your early retirement. The level of benefits depends on how likely you are to be capable of gainful employment after you leave.